"Oktoberfest"—an evening of relaxation for students to welcome their semester recess—[4]Lining up for Chef Nat's Oktoberfest cuisineincluded Chef Nat's delicious bratwurst and spare ribs (look for his upcoming SVS Press[5] cookbook release When You Feast), polka music, and fellowship with each other and faculty. Dn. Nicholas Roth organized the student get together.

The next morning, the St. Herman's Society for Orthodox Ecology kicked off the semester recess with Campus Clean-Up Day. After an 8:30 a.m. molieben to the Holy Spirit "At the Beginning of Any Good Work," students set out across the seminary with trash bags, gloves, and rakes. Five workers labored to render the 12–acre campus to pristine condition—often a challenge when surrounded by a populated surburban neighborhood.

Students appreciated the chance to take a mental break and focus on physical instead of intellectual labor. The Society for Orthodox Ecology is planning another Clean–Up Day in the spring, and brainstorming ideas to attract more volunteers.